Helping patients make the right choices for them

Options available to patients

The BOS survey has found that the increase in working online and video calls has had a big impact on patients’ decisions to seek treatment, with 65% of orthodontists reporting this factor. Additionally, 38% have said that online influencers and celebrities have swayed decision making.ⁱ The increase in demand for this treatment type has brought with it an increase in options for patients. Direct to consumer orthodontic solutions present patients with a commercial alternative to treatment from an orthodontist, in which customers may never meet the dentist involved with their treatment. This is concerning as it may mean that patients are choosing options which are not suited to their situation due to convenience, or lower costs.[ii]

While some people may not understand the dangers of this, orthodontic treatment can be intricate, and it is certainly not one-size-fits-all. Orthodontic treatment should be tailored to each patient’s specific situation, taking into account all aspects of their oral health, and treatment goals. There is growing concern amongst orthodontists about the rise of these so-called “DIY braces”, the commoditisation of dental treatment,ⁱ and the effects they may have on patients, and it is important that clinicians reinforce the benefits of professional treatment with their patients should they be interested in orthodontic treatment. Research suggests that, while not all who use direct to consumer braces companies will have a negative experience, some can face serious issues. This is particularly true for patients with more significant malocclusions, who appear to be less satisfied with treatment as these companies are thought not to review radiographs or dental records prior to approving treatment.ⁱⁱ

Combining orthodontics and restorative treatment

When a patient presents to the practice wanting to improve the appearance of their teeth, it’s important to determine the best course of action for their specific situation. Is orthodontic treatment appropriate? Would the patient benefit from restorative treatment? To improve the overall aesthetics of the smile, sometimes a combination of orthodontics and restorative treatment is effective. This allows clinicians to move the teeth into a more favourable position, be it through using clear aligners, fixed braces, or a lingual option, this will help to correct the position of the teeth, improve aesthetics, and restore function to the dentition.

This provides a great starting position for any restorative treatment that is needed. Procedures may include edge bonding and polishing, tooth shaping to improve aesthetics, and bleaching. Each of these options are relatively minor procedures which can have a big impact on smile aesthetics, and which can be better executed when the teeth have been aligned.

The best choice for each patient

When planning treatment, consider the best options for your patients, and present them with clear choices. This will ensure that they have full control over the procedures they undergo, and are able to choose the option which works best for them and their lifestyles. As part of this, explain the benefits of undergoing professional treatment, and why each procedure is suited to them. This will reduce the likelihood that they will seek direct to consumer alternatives to professional treatment, and will help to set them up on the journey to success. By having a vision for the patient’s treatment over the years, prioritising minimally invasive treatment types to preserve healthy tissue for as long as possible, your patients are more likely to stay in your care long term.

It is important that clinicians are competent and confident in their abilities to provide these types of treatment, with a vision for the overall result of treatment. The Ortho-Restorative course from the IAS Academy is a fantastic choice for clinicians who provide some orthodontic treatment, and would like to expand their skillset to carry out a comprehensive ortho-restorative approach. Featuring a mixture of theoretical and hands-on learning, the Ortho-Restorative course discusses how to integrate restorative dentistry with orthodontics, and how to communicate the benefits of minimally invasive dentistry to patients effectively.

To ensure that your patients receive the care they need, it is essential that you gain the skill necessary to offer high-quality treatment. An ortho-restorative approach to treatment can transform many patients’ smiles. By offering patients the option for a minimally invasive restorative dentistry, making small changes to correct imperfections, you can provide options which improve their smile, without accelerating the restorative spiral too quickly.

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, please visit

www.iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)

Dr Tif Qureshi founder and a clinical director of IAS Academy

Dr Tif Qureshi founder and a clinical director of IAS Academy, qualified from Kings College London in 1992. He is a Past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an International faculty that provides mentored education for general dentists on a pathway from appropriate simple to comprehensive orthodontics.

Tif has a special interest in simple orthodontics and truly minimally invasive dentistry. He has committed his life’s work to empowering dentists to provide important alternative techniques. He offers a wide variety of treatments to many more patients, while always respecting the fundamental precepts of orthodontics.

Tif also pioneered the concept of Progressive Smile Design through Alignment, Bleaching, Bonding – a course that combines tooth alignment, composite bonding and teeth whitening to produce superior smiles using techniques with the absolute minimum of invasiveness available today.

An experienced teacher in the Dahl concept, Tif shows how this technique is used to plan tooth alignment and minimise invasive dentistry in the development of a beautiful smile.

Tif now lectures and published scientific articles internationally.

[i] British Orthodontic Society. New stats from The British Orthodontic Society reveal online working triggers a rise in adults seeking tooth straightening treatment. Accessed August 23. https://www.bos.org.uk/news/new-stats-from-the-british-orthodontic-society-reveal-online-working-triggers-a-rise-in-adults-seeking-tooth-straightening-treatment/

[ii] Wexler, Anna, et al. “Direct-to-consumer orthodontics: surveying the user experience.” The Journal of the American Dental Association 151.8 (2020): 625-636.